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Mother’s Day in South Nepean

May 14, 2017

In the lead up to Mother’s Day, a member of spark dropped by the South Nepean Women’s Social Group to visit and listen as participants discussed what it means to be a mother.

The women shared stories about the difficulties of letting go after their children have grown up, their immense sacrifice they’ve made raising their children, the difficulties living in an isolated neighbourhood.

The group is made up of primarily immigrant women in Barrhaven and aims to bring women together to fight isolation, learn and share cultural activities and grow as community leaders themselves.

It’s discussions like these that help them connect, relate and find a common thread. A chat about their children brings smiles to the group members faces and helps to grow the friendship amongst them further.

Saada, a group participant, said it provides a safe and supportive space that she doesn’t get anywhere else.

“It’s set in my schedule, I would not miss it and I encourage others to join. We learn about each other’s cultures and talents,” she says, adding how she is a sewing instructor with ESL students and has led the group in many sewing activities.

The South Nepean Women’s Social Group is one of six community projects funded by spark’s Community Action Grants this year. These projects tackle issues like food security, creating community pride through neighbourhood beautification, and like the women’s group, bringing residents together to fight isolation.

“It’s eye-opening to learn about the barriers many women face that make them feel secluded in the Barrhaven neighbourhood,” says spark member Nanci Laroche, who visited the group this week to deliver flowers and chat with the women.

“It’s great to see the sparkFund in action making a real impact by bringing communities like this together.”

Spark member Nanci Laroche at the South Nepean Women’s Social Group, met with Saada, group participant.

Susan, one of the founders of the social group, said many women face language, cultural and transportation barriers that makes it easy to feel isolated. When they brainstorm solutions to these challenges, she says they all involve working and sharing together as a group.

Leading up to Mother’s Day, Susan says this great topic helps to fuel friendship and further breaks down barriers. She says the social group is a good reminder for women that they are part of a bigger community.

“A big reason we get together is to enjoy life, have fun and we laugh a lot. Maybe your regular life is not giving you that, and I know this group has been that spark for many women,” she says, smiling at her pun.

Sparkbrings community minded women together to connect, collaborate and initiate change through their investment in the sparkFund. Members of spark have the opportunity to directly influence how their investments change lives in our community through the allocation of Community Action Grants benefiting Ottawa’s priority neighbourhoods.